5th: Smallies For Suggs

BassFan.com > Day 3: 5, 17-09 (15, 42-12) Suggs came into the tournament feeling as prepared as he's ever been for a Beaver Lake event and his efforts are paying off handsomely. He made the biggest move on day 3 and stands 4-11 behind Christie.

He's one of a small few who have unlocked a consistent smallmouth bite and through 3 days, 14 of his 15 weigh fish have been smallies.

"I'm tickled to death," he said. "I knew the potential was there. I told my partner this morning that with no wind were just going to go practicing. I felt like I was going to be in trouble, but even with being dead-slick, they were chomping."

His key tactic this week has been ripping a jerkbait to trigger reaction strikes. Today, the bites came pretty steady all day, especially after 1 p.m. when he moved into an area that kicked out some fish on day 2.

"I'm also running way off and I caught two key fish in two different areas today," he said. "I don't want to change what's got me to where I'm at. I'll be running and gunning again tomorrow."

With another change in the weather on tap tomorrow, he thinks he has his bases covered.

"With the wind shifting, I have another plan if I need it," he said. "There will be areas with fish in them tomorrow that haven't had fish in them since early in practice. Hopefully, I can get them to bite again. I know every time my bait hits the water the potential is there for a big one."